Daniel 5:10

¶ [Now] the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: [and] the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

Now the queen {H4433}, by reason {H6903} of the words {H4406} of the king {H4430} and his lords {H7261}, came {H5954} into the banquet {H4961} house {H1005}: and the queen {H4433} spake {H6032} and said {H560}, O king {H4430}, live {H2418} for ever {H5957}: let not {H409} thy thoughts {H7476} trouble {H927} thee, nor let thy countenance {H2122} be changed {H8133}:

At this point the queen mother, because of what the king and his lords were saying, entered the banquet hall. The queen mother said, "May the king live forever! Don't be scared by your thoughts or let your face be so pale.

Hearing the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queen entered the banquet hall. “O king, may you live forever!” she said. “Do not let your thoughts terrify you, or your face grow pale.

Nowthe queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever; let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed.

Daniel 5:10 introduces a pivotal moment in the dramatic scene of Belshazzar's feast. After the terrifying appearance of the mysterious hand writing on the wall, the king and his nobles are plunged into extreme fear and confusion. It is at this critical juncture that the queen enters, offering counsel and a potential solution to the king's distress.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse takes place during the final hours of the Babylonian Empire, specifically at a lavish banquet hosted by King Belshazzar. The "queen" mentioned here is generally understood to be the queen mother, likely Nitocris, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. Her age and experience would have given her unique standing and memory of past events, particularly the reign of her father. She was not present at the initial sacrilegious feast, but hearing of the king's extreme reaction – detailed in Daniel 5:6 where his knees smote one against another – she comes to offer a solution. Her advice highlights the desperate situation, as the king's own wise men have failed to interpret the divine message.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Seeking Counsel in Crisis: The queen mother's entrance signifies the need for genuine wisdom when human solutions fail. She provides a voice of reason and memory amid panic.
  • Remembering God's Servants: She recalls Daniel's past service and unique spiritual gifts, emphasizing that true insight comes from a higher source. This sets the stage for Daniel's subsequent appearance before the king.
  • The Impact of Divine Revelation: The king's visible terror ("let not thy countenance be changed") underscores the overwhelming and unsettling nature of direct divine intervention for those unprepared or unholy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "let not thy countenance be changed" (Aramaic: zivak yishtanna) literally means "let your brightness/splendor not be altered." This vividly describes the physical manifestation of fear and despair that had overtaken Belshazzar. His face, likely pale and contorted with terror, showed the profound impact of the mysterious writing. The queen's words are an attempt to calm him, suggesting that a solution exists to restore his composure and royal dignity.

Practical Application

Daniel 5:10 reminds us that even in moments of profound crisis and uncertainty, God often provides a pathway to understanding through unexpected sources. It underscores the value of seeking wise counsel, especially from those who have a history of relying on divine wisdom. When we face overwhelming challenges that trouble our "countenance" and cause us fear, remembering God's past faithfulness and the wisdom available through His Spirit, often through others, can bring clarity and peace. This verse also implicitly warns against relying solely on worldly wisdom when facing spiritual matters, pointing instead to the need for divine revelation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 3:9

    They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

  • Daniel 6:6

    ¶ Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

  • Daniel 2:4

    Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.

  • 1 Samuel 4:20

    And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard [it].

  • 1 Samuel 4:22

    And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

  • Daniel 6:21

    Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

  • Genesis 35:17

    And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

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